The Facts - Cancer Free!

Diagnosis: One quarter-size malignant tumor
Location: Lower lobe of left lung
Treatment: Surgery & Chemotherapy - Successful!
Prognosis: Excellent
Chance of Recurrence: Small
In case you haven't heard, Rhonda has been declared cancer free by her oncologist!!!

Thank you to all the friends and family who have expressed their concern, support, and encouragement. Praise the Lord that Rhonda's tumor was found early. The process of diagnosis and planning treatment went quickly in March, and recovery from surgery progressed smoothly across April. The four months of chemotherapy ended in mid-September. Now, on to recovery from the chemo. The doctor says it may take up to six months for Rhonda to regain her physical strength, so please keep praying!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Full Nest

Our empty nest has become full again as both Katie and Kevin moved home Saturday.  I have to say that my first year of empty nesting didn't turn out quite the way I had envisioned!  I had barely had time to adjust to Kevin being gone when Hurricane Ike hit and we were camped out in a hotel in College Station.  I'm sure he wondered what he'd done to deserve having mom and dad follow him to college!  During the evacuation I walked into a clinic with a sinus infection and that began the long journey to discovering my lung cancer.  What an emotional roller coaster ride this year has been.  So many times we wish we could see the future and what's ahead but I've come to believe that God is gracious in not allowing that.  I've been forced to trust Him day by day, week by week through this illness and I know I would have been overwhelmed if I had tried to do otherwise.  I'm still overwhelmed at times, but thankful for all the love, support and prayers that surround me.

The big news, of course, is that Katie is an official Former Student of Texas A&M.  Whoop!  She graduated Friday with about 1500 of her closest friends - and that was just one of five graduation ceremonies that took place over a two day period.  Almost 6,000 students graduated this semester.  During the "rather lengthy" ceremony we sat and tried to estimate the amount of tuition that was represented on the floor.  Mind boggling!  She will be moving to Houston in August to begin working on a Masters of Public Health and a dietetic internship at the University of Texas Health Sciences School of Public Health.  Say that 5 times fast...

It was a hard weekend, physically, for me but I survived and made it home to my own bed again.  That became my entire focus before we were through.  "Must sleep in my own bed, must sleep in my own bed". David and the kids worked hard to get their rent house packed up and into the storage unit in College Station or into the U-Haul truck that David drove home.  My living room looks like that U-Haul threw up in it.  Oh wait - it did!  If you come to see me this week be prepared to tiptoe through piles and don't stray from the beaten path.  We might not find you again.  However, I'm SURE things will begin to improve immediately.  Right, kids???

I'm not certain why I'm awake in the middle of the night tonight, but I guess I'd better stop and try to get some sleep before my treatment later today.  Katie is driving me into Houston this time and it's another short treatment.  We'll let you know how it goes.

Love,
Rhonda 
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3 comments:

  1. LynnetteMay 18, 2009 at 6:26 AM

    I will pray for you that not only does the U-haul explosion get dealt with quickly but that the opinions that have rejoined the house will blend together well with much love and patience for each other.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 19, 2009 at 8:14 PM

    Congrats to the graduate. Iknow you will be happy to have them home. Liz also moved home and there is also dorm residue throughout the whole house. Robbie is four doors down and with me at work so we are a little too close for comfort I am sure. But I am glad they are here and will enjoy my days. I am hoping the white cell count comes up and that treatments remain on schedule. What a year! You are one of the bravest people I know and the Lord has certainly used you as an instrument of His glory.
    Lorelai, Meg's daughter is still in Neonatal ICU, but she has gained 2 ounces which they assure me is excellent for a baby in this condition. She weighs all of 3 pounds 2 ounces now. No change in her condition except that she is still here and that is a marvelous sign.
    Counting down the school days....
    Later my friend,
    Melissa

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  3. AnonymousMay 23, 2009 at 3:27 AM

    Rhonda,

    The wig looks good. The color match is great!

    Don, Megan and I just returned on Tuesday late from Nick,s graduation. Everyone in MO said Hi.

    Have a good Memorial Day Weekend.

    Love,
    Aunt Sue

    ReplyDelete

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